A number of infrastructure megaprojects in Costa Rica are geared toward a public transport and easing congestion, however are delayed or paralyzed due to the pandemic or public backlash over excessive prices.  

5 of the nation’s main tasks are associated to move, rural improvement, and the nationwide decarbonization plan. The following administration, taking workplace after the election in February, will inherit most of them.

Interurban Mild Rail (US$1.5bn)

The nation’s costliest endeavor is progressing. Spain’s IOM delivered the feasibility research in March and the tendering section is lively till year-end.  

The 85km all-electric system will operate 24 hours and join the cities of Cartago, San José, Heredia and Alajuela. It’s going to serve 42 stations, together with a attainable connection to Juan Santamaría international airport. Early plans are additionally contemplating constructing 11 intermodal hubs that join with bus strains.

Challenges contain redrawing of some bus strains and bridge expansions to account for the rail’s double-track design.

Public opposition over the price ticket has emerged, for the reason that nation is reeling from the financial results of the pandemic and a few officers imagine assets ought to go towards fast restoration moderately than a long-term mission.

However supporters declare the rail is worth it, citing estimates that it’s going to generate round US$3bn.

San José-San Ramón Hall (US$550mn)

The design phase was accomplished final December and building is now at round 60%, with completion scheduled for 2023.

The mission entails designing, establishing and sustaining the widening and refurbishing of the 60km hall, damaged down into 17 works and 5 phases.

Work in phases one and two, together with the development of the Río Ciruelas, Río Alajuela, Río Segundo and Río Torres bridges, is round 80% full. The Firestone overpass is 49% full, with demolition and pile set up persevering with across the route 129 overpass.

Research are underway for section 2b, which incorporates the growth of 500m of street on the Río Segundo and Naranjo toll sales space stations, in line with engineering agency Gerencia de Ingeniería Fideicomiso Ruta Uno.

Phases three and 4 also needs to begin this yr, though updates haven’t been supplied.

San José-Limón freeway growth (US$466mn)

The project has been delayed due to design flaws and the pandemic.

The March 2021 completion date was postponed till year-end because the pandemic sophisticated the import of building supplies from China. In Could, the completion date was pushed again once more to early 2022.

Work entails the growth and modernization of the 107km route 32, which hyperlinks Limón province and capital San José, most notably a stretch between Guápiles district and port metropolis Limón. It additionally entails work on 32 bridges, 176 bus stops and 23 pedestrian bridges.

Public works minister Rodolfo Méndez stated in an announcement that the newest delays have been brought on by the designs for this and two different tasks being too previous. They should be reevaluated to make sure the wants of the realm are met.

Limón electrical freight practice (US$450mn)

The federal government is accelerating work on the financing and tendering for the project to prepared it for building when the subsequent authorities takes over. Nevertheless, updates on a young course of weren’t supplied.

Closing research must be prepared within the second half of the yr, the president of the Central American Financial institution for Financial Integration (Cabei), Dante Mossi, stated beforehand. Cabei is offering main financing.

Work entails a brand new stretch of rail line and updating present sections to be used by electrical freight trains, serving to to decongest route 32 and enhance commerce in Limón province. The road will assist set up a logistics hall between Bajos de Chilamate and the Japdveva and APM terminals.

Section one is targeted on the 112km Río Frío and Limón part and the 60km department to Valle de la Estrella. The second section would concentrate on the growth of the 30km stretch between Río Frío and Chilamate.

Florencio del Castillo freeway growth (US$407mn)

Feasibility research have been being carried out this yr earlier than the federal government paused the project, additionally because of outdated designs.

Costa Rican building agency Meco is redesigning the mission, which entails modernizing, widening, and working the freeway to enhance entry between San José and Cartago province. It’s presupposed to lower journey time, air pollution and noise.